GAD2

GAD2 or Glutamate Decarboxylase 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GAD2 gene. It is primarily involved in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system.

Function

GAD2 is one of two forms of the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase, the other being GAD1. Both enzymes catalyze the decarboxylation of glutamate to GABA and carbon dioxide. GAD2 is primarily located in nerve terminals, and, in contrast to GAD1, is not subject to feedback inhibition by GABA.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the level of GAD2 have been implicated in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. In particular, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the GAD2 gene has been associated with obesity and diabetes in both humans and mice.

See also

• GAD1
• Glutamate decarboxylase
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid
• Neurotransmitter

External links

• NCBI Gene
• UniProt